Sixteen students will represent Sias International University at the USASF 2007 Cheer and Dance Worlds in Orlando, Florida on April 21-22.
The students leave April 20 for a 14-day tour of the United States. Their first stop will be Orlando, where they will compete at Walt Disney World against other universities from around the world. They will then travel to Los Angeles, California for several days, with a brief trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, before returning to Beijing and Xinzheng.
“These days I’m very excited,” said Ruimin Chen, whose English name is Amy. “I want to feel the life of an American.”
The cheer and dance team will be joined by three teachers and their coach, Cheng Shuang.
Coach Cheng created a new routine for the squad to perform in competition. This routine is more challenging than any they have done before.
“This one has Chinese traditional moves, some kung fu,” Chen said. “(The Americans) will want to see something different from us because we are Chinese, and we wanted to show some Chinese things to the Americans.”
The squad, which had to raise some money and get visas for the trip, received new uniforms to go with their new performances.
They unveiled their new routine at the 2007 Sports Day. It begins with the troop under a giant Chinese flag, which is rolled back to reveal the team. There are some kung fu and tai chi style moves throughout.
In preparation for the trip to the United States, the squad has been putting in extra practices. This, combined with their already heavy study schedules, makes for very long days, but it’s all worth it, according to Chen.
“Sometimes I feel tired but I must keep going because I like cheerleading,” she said. “Some ask, ‘Why do you keep on doing it?’ I think it is very interesting.”
The squad, which has 10 women and six men, includes Chen, Zhang Yi Wen, Wang, Ying, Xu Ruimin, Che Jingjng, Yang Xiao, Bi Beibei, Li Shen, Li Huan, Li Yuehua, Pang Ran, Han Boyu, Han Zhongyu, Zhang He, Zeng Jun and Li Wen ya.